CT Anatomy and Clinical Applications Flashcards
6 cards from real Computed Tomography Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CT Anatomy and Clinical Applications flashcards as text
Which CT finding is characteristic of renal cell carcinoma (RCC)?
Answer: Hypervascular solid renal mass with arterial phase enhancement ≥20 HU above baseline
RCC is highly vascular and shows significant enhancement (typically >20 HU increase) on arterial phase CT, distinguishing it from cysts and benign lesions.
What is the CT appearance of a renal angiomyolipoma (AML)?
Answer: Intralesional fat with HU values below −10 (macroscopic fat)
Classic AMLs contain macroscopic fat (HU < −10), which is pathognomonic and allows diagnosis without biopsy in the appropriate clinical context.
On a CT urogram, which phase of imaging is used to evaluate the collecting system, ureters, and bladder?
Answer: Excretory (delayed) phase at 5–10 minutes
The excretory phase captures opacified urine within the renal collecting system, ureters, and bladder after contrast is filtered and excreted by the kidneys.
Which structure separates the right and left lobes of the liver and is identified by an imaginary line on CT?
Answer: Main lobar fissure (Cantlie's line) from the gallbladder fossa to the middle hepatic vein
Cantlie's line is an imaginary line connecting the gallbladder fossa anteriorly to the middle hepatic vein posteriorly, dividing the liver into right and left functional lobes.
A 'free air' (pneumoperitoneum) sign on CT of the abdomen following bowel perforation is best identified on which type of CT window?
Answer: Lung window settings applied to abdominal images
Free intraperitoneal air has the same HU as intraluminal air (−1000 HU) and is most conspicuous on lung window settings (wide width, low level) that make small gas pockets visible.
What is the CT appearance of acute pancreatitis?
Answer: Pancreatic edema, peripancreatic fat stranding, and possible fluid collections
Acute pancreatitis on CT shows gland enlargement, decreased attenuation due to edema, peripancreatic inflammatory stranding, and in severe cases, necrosis or fluid collections.